For those of you with hands on experience with both of these M&Ps, could you give me a comparison as far as size and convenience for concealed carry. I carry a Shield 9 everywhere right now and love it, but I have thought about going with a 45 for the winter. Thanks for any info you may have.

I'm not one hundred percent I don't know what Smith and Wesson r&d has going on but I don't believe there is a shield in 45

I have a shield 40 and 9 and cc them a lot more than my 45c. The 45c is a little chunky compared to the shield. If you want a 45 take a look at an xds45. It's pretty much the same size as a shield. I cc it more than either of my shields. It's also more comfortable to shoot than my shield 40.

That's exactly what I'm planning to do. I have both and have carried both in all seasons. Obviously the shield is easier to conceal, but the 45c has not been a problem for me to hide. I'm of average build and with a little looser covering and the right holster, the 45c hides well. It sure feels good on my hip!

I'm a ne convert to my Shield and 45C. I'm sending the Shield away to get the APEX trigger job and got the Kestrel IWB holster for it. Darn comfortable and sits deep. I just bought a DeSantis speed scabbard for the 45c and will carry it OWB in the winter months. By summer I will decide on a IWB holster. I will rotate these guns with my HK P2K when I want a 12 round mag count.

I carry Shields in warm weather; I have a 40c and now a 45c for cold weather. The Shields carry much easier than the compacts, but for me the compacts work fine IWB or OWB with a good cover garment. They don't "disappear" like the Shields, though.

Hopefully some day S&W will develop a Shield .45...